Senior Oncology Scientist
Clear Labs
Summary
Clear Labs builds an end-to-end, FDA-cleared next-generation sequencing (NGS) diagnostics platform. Our system, Clear Dx, combines automated sample-to-report workflows with an assay menu spanning oncology and infectious disease testing. We're a hands-on team building hardware, software, and wet-lab science together, and we're looking for senior scientists who want to own real customer and partner relationships, not just advise on them.
Job description
Position Summary
We're hiring a Senior Oncology Scientist to serve as Clear Labs' internal oncology subject matter expert — advising our assay development, automation, and systems integration teams on oncology biology, genomics, and clinical relevance as we build out our oncology assay menu. This is primarily an internal scientific role: shaping internal decisions on assay design and clinical relevance comes first, with select customer, partner, and conference-facing science as a secondary part of the role.
Reports to: COO & Chief Scientific Officer
Location: San Carlos, CA
Travel: Occasional travel required.
Primary Responsibilities
- Serve as the internal oncology subject matter expert, advising Assay Development, Automation, and Systems Integration on oncology biology, genomics, and clinical relevance as new panels and workflows are developed.
- Stay current on oncology genomics literature, competitive assays, and clinical guidelines, and translate that knowledge into internal scientific recommendations.
- Provide scientific input on assay design, panel content, and evidentiary requirements for oncology offerings (e.g., companion diagnostics, comprehensive genomic profiling, MRD).
- Serve as an internal bridge between R&D/assay science and other functions, helping translate technical work into language that lands with clinical, commercial, and partner audiences.
- Support customers and partner reference laboratories with oncology assay application science and protocol troubleshooting as needed (secondary responsibility).
- Represent Clear Labs' oncology science with key opinion leaders and at a select set of key conferences, and provide scientific input during partner evaluations (secondary responsibility).
Qualifications
- PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in oncology genomics, molecular pathology, or a closely related field.
- Prior experience as an internal scientific advisor, subject matter expert, or R&D scientist supporting assay or product development in oncology genomics.
- Comfortable advising cross-functional technical teams on oncology biology and translating that into practical assay and product decisions.
- Prior experience with companion diagnostics, comprehensive genomic profiling, or MRD assay workflows strongly preferred.
- Some prior experience in an Applications Scientist, Field Application Scientist, or Medical Science Liaison-type role is a plus, but not the primary focus of this position.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; occasional travel for key conferences and partner engagements — this is not a majority-travel role.
Requirements
- PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in oncology genomics, molecular pathology, or a closely related field.
- Prior experience as an internal scientific advisor, subject matter expert, or R&D scientist supporting assay or product development in oncology genomics.
- Comfortable advising cross-functional technical teams on oncology biology and translating that into practical assay and product decisions.
- Prior experience with companion diagnostics, comprehensive genomic profiling, or MRD assay workflows strongly preferred.
- Some prior experience in an Applications Scientist, Field Application Scientist, or Medical Science Liaison-type role is a plus, but not the primary focus of this position.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; occasional travel for key conferences and partner engagements — this is not a majority-travel role.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Life & AD&D Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Discretionary Time Off
- Stock Option Plan
- Lunch Stipend
Company overview
Clear Labs is a biotechnology company specializing in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and artificial intelligence-powered solutions for food safety and quality testing. Founded with the mission to revolutionize food safety through advanced molecular diagnostics, the company has developed a comprehensive platform that combines automated sample preparation, high-throughput sequencing, and sophisticated bioinformatics analytics. Clear Labs' innovative approach enables rapid and accurate detection of pathogens, allergens, GMOs, and other contaminants in food products, providing food manufacturers, retailers, and regulatory agencies with unprecedented insights into their supply chains. The company's technology platform represents a significant advancement over traditional testing methods, offering faster turnaround times, higher sensitivity, and the ability to detect multiple targets simultaneously. By leveraging cutting-edge genomics and data science, Clear Labs is positioned at the forefront of the food safety industry, helping to prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure consumer protection through science-driven solutions.